The Names

<b>A once-in-a-generation debut from a major new talent, <i>The Names </i>is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. </b><br /><b> <br /></b><b>THE NUMBER ONE <i>SUNDAY TIMES</i> BESTSELLER<br /></b><b>WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2026</b><br /><b><br />'I've just been blown away by the best debut novel in years . . . A genius idea for a book'<br /><i>Sunday Times</i><br />'Wildly original and emotionally profound'<br /><i>Observer</i><br /><br />'An unadulterated success: moving, evocative and utterly convincing'<br /><i>The Times</i><br /></b><br /><b></b><b>OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD</b><br /><br />It is 1987, and in the wake of a great storm, Cora sets out with her young daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband expects her to follow tradition and call the baby after him - but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? Her choice will shape the course of their lives.<br /><br />Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, hoping he will grow up to be brave and big-hearted. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, keen for him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image - but is there still a chance to break the mould?<br /><br />Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.<br /><b><br />A BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE <i>SUNDAY TIMES</i>, <i>GUARDIAN</i>, <i>INDEPENDENT</i>, <i>IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY</i>, <i>COSMOPOLITAN</i> AND MANY MORE | A <i>READ WITH JENNA</i> AND <i>HAPPY PLACE</i> BOOKCLUB PICK</b><br /><br /><b>'The viral literary hit'<br /><i>Grazia</i></b><br /><br /><b>'A beautiful, heartwrenching, utterly original novel'<br />Miranda Cowley Heller</b><br /><br /><b>'One of those rare books that makes you glad to be alive'<br /><i>Stylist</i></b><br /><br /><b>'Magnificent . . . Read it. It's very special'<br />Chris Whitaker</b><br /><br /><b>'Beautifully written, and wise and tender . . . An utter original'<br />Jojo Moyes</b><br /><br /><b>'Exceptional . . . will stay with me for a very long time'<br />Anita Rani, Woman's Hour</b><br /><br /><b>'Heart-shattering . . . a sucker punch of a novel'<br />Pandora Sykes</b><br /><br /><b>'A modern classic'<br />Jenna Bush Hager</b><br /><br /><b>'Heartbreaking and yet brimful of hope . . . Exceptional'<br /><i>Mail on Sunday</i></b><br /><br /><b>'Brilliant . . . one of those books that will make you irritable with anyone who interrupts you, but which you'll finish wanting to press into the hands of a friend'<br /><i>The Times</i></b><br /><br /><b>'Astonishing, unique and incredibly moving, <i>The Names </i>is a beautiful novel about the courage of a mother in the moment she names her child . . . I know it will stay with me for a long time'<br />Jeanine Cummins</b>